Chapter 708: He Wants Our Child

No one could breathe at this point. This was Asmodeus after all, one of hell’s rulers. Not even Adele was deluded enough to think they could go against him and win. No one had ever survived defying their god.

The hall had gone so quiet that if someone dropped a pin, it would echo loudly, that was, until Rivere stepped in with a nervous laugh. "Father, you’re here."

Asmodeus was not amused.

Rivere cleared his throat at once and said, "Our brother received the blessing of a mate, and I was just introducing her to the family."

But Micah spoke up immediately, "You stole my mate! Now you’re trying to forcefully marry her to me the demon way. You want to doom her soul for eternity!"

There was a shift in Asmodeus’ demeanor, and Rivere noticed the tides changing. He quickly added, "Micah is still part of us, and by extension, his mate now. He should do it to honor us..." he deliberately stressed the words, "Honor you."

Micah’s heart began to race. That manipulative bastard Rivere was playing at Asmodeus’ pride, trying to twist the situation in his favor. Micah’s mind worked rapidly, scrambling for a solution, when Adele suddenly stepped forward.

"Prince Asmodeus," she addressed him, her voice polite but edged with steel.

"Adele..." Micah’s eyes widened, panic rushing through him. "What are you doing?" He tried to reach for her, but Adele didn’t move an inch.

She continued, strong and unwavering, "Apologies, but I have no gift to present you considering your heir abducted me from my mate’s bed with no warning. By the laws of my people, that is an incredible offense."

The effect was immediate.

Micah’s expression lit up when he realized what Adele was doing, while Rivere’s face soured instantly, apprehension coiling through him.

Adele lifted her chin and declared, "I am a healer. A special wolf created by the Moon Goddess herself, and yet your spawn dares to force me into a demon marriage. Tell me, Prince Asmodeus, do you truly wish to call down the wrath of Heaven? I’m certain Hell wouldn’t want a second war. You were already defeated the first time."

Bam.

Adele hit right where it hurt them most.

Asmodeus’ face darkened, shadows tightening around his features. The air in the hall thickened so intensely it felt impossible to breathe. The demons who had been enjoying the spectacle moments ago now bowed their heads so low their foreheads touched the floor. None dared to look up, not with Asmodeus’ aura rolling over them oppressively.

"Apologies, healer," Asmodeus finally said, his voice deceptively smooth. "We demons can be impulsive with our desires at times..." His gaze shifted toward Rivere, and the demon heir shivered. He knew this was bad.

"And to apologize properly," Asmodeus continued, "then take my son as a gift."

"What?" Adele shouted, shocked. Not just her, Micah’s mouth dropped open in disbelief.

As for Rivere, he looked like the floor had fallen out beneath him.

"F-father, what are you saying?" he stammered, his voice cracking.

Asmodeus didn’t even spare him a glance.

"I curse you, Rivere. From this moment onward, you will serve the healer. She shall command you, and you will obey even her heirs for a thousand years."

Something happened almost immediately.

Black smoke exploded around Rivere, swallowing him whole.

"Wait—no! Father, don’t do —" was all he managed before the smoke thickened and choked out the rest of his protest.

Everyone held their breath as the scene played out in front of them. The smoke churned once more and then collapsed inward.

Except what stood in Rivere’s place was not Rivere but a cat.

What the hell?

And no, this wasn’t a trick of the eye. A small, adorable black cat with bright green eyes far too pretty for the vicious creature he had been seconds ago stood before them.

The cat opened its mouth.

"Meow."

The sound echoed through the silent room, leaving everyone speechless. No way.

The little cat puffed up in outrage, his tiny fangs showing as it tried to speak again.

"Me—OW!"

The emphasis was clearly intended to sound threatening, but it did not.

Through their shock, Asmodeus announced, "You may now leave the realm. You are free to go."

The relief that washed through Micah and Adele lasted only a heartbeat because Asmodeus’ eyes gleamed, catching on them like a hook.

"However..." he murmured and the hall froze again. "... know this, if ever you produce heirs with demon blood, even one, their place is here in my realm. Not even the heavens may dispute it."

Shivers raced down Adele’s spine. This can’t be happening. They can’t decide the fate of her child even before it’s born.

Micah noticed her apprehension and took her hand in his, comforting her. They would figure this out together.

Asmodeus wasn’t done. He now turned to Micah, a slow, serpentine smile forming.

"And with Rivere gone, I find myself... heirless. Perhaps I will soon remedy that."

Micah froze, and it was Adele’s turn to stroke his palm, steadying him.

"Go now. Enjoy your fragile freedom. This matter is not over."

Micah didn’t need to be told twice. He grabbed Adele by the waist and vanished immediately, leaving the cat behind. They did not need it, not when Rivere was the cause of their problem.

In a blink, they were back in their room as if nothing had ever happened. Morning light filtered in but neither of them cared.

"He plans to take my child. My unborn child!" Adele choked out, panic rising fast.

"Adele, calm down—" Micah tried, reaching for her.

"Don’t tell me to calm down! It’s my child he wants!"

"Our child," Micah corrected, his voice louder than he intended. Realizing it, he forced himself to breathe. "It’s our child," he repeated softer.

He pulled her into his arms. "God, I’m sorry."

"I’m sorry too," Adele whispered, sinking against him. "I’m just so scared."

Micah kissed her forehead, lingering there. "You don’t need to be. He said demon blood. For all we know, our child could be completely wolf. And if not, then we simply won’t give birth at all. That solves it."

Adele looked up at him through teary lashes. "You don’t mind not having kids?"

Micah admitted, "I never planned on having children in the first place. This only makes it easier. You?"

She bit her lip, trembling. "If it will save my child from such a fate then I don’t mind."

"Adele..." Micah’s voice cracked, eyes filled with guilt. "I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. If only I wasn’t a—"

"Shhh." She silenced him. "It’s alright."

He held her tight, both of them drawing strength from each other.

And then,

"Meow!"

They froze.

Adele and Micah turned slowly to see the black cat sitting primly on the floor, tail curled neatly around its paws, watching them with smug little demon eyes.

The two exchanged a long, exhausted stare.

Adele sighed. "I guess we’re stuck with him."

Micah groaned. "Seems so."

Meow.